A delicate balance

I’m not sure if this is a “happy” cotton fabric, but it seems to pick up the drab that had me concerned, no? I think more yellow and green would have been matchy-matchy overload, all jumbling before my eyes into a mustard green blur. But a teal lining… now that’s something interesting ;).

The cotton has been washed and pre-shrunk, the twisted bamboo handles are here, as is a little magnetic doodad for keeping the bag shut, so off I go, to finish the last bit of the knitting!

Off I… go?

I must admit I’m feeling a bit distracted at the moment. Knitter’s ADD: a serious condition, striking when you least expect it. For me, it all has to do with project attributes, more than the absolute number of projects. In my ideal world, I would have exactly one from each of the following categories on my needles at any given time:

an easy portable project (e.g., sock, hat)

an easy stationary project (e.g., a big scarf, blanket)

a complicated stationary project (e.g., lace shawl, Fair Isle)

Three projects total, one of each. Anything less or more, any tipping of the scale in one category’s direction, and I end up adjusting, prioritizing, and over-thinking about what I knit, and when, and how much.

It so happens that The Bag is competing with the Focus on Fringe scarf andEne for “easy stationary project” du jour. Which makes me panic and pick up the “easy portable project” even if I can handle something bigger and/or more complicated.

Such a delicate balance, the knitter’s project lineup.

So, until I get myself together and resume my focus on The Bag, let me show you what I’ve been working on instead:

Realizing that Sundara has finished hers, I’m putting a move on knitting my Ene. I’m done with the fourth repeat of the third chart, meaning, I’m nearing the end!

I’m more than a little curious to see how the stained yarn will work itself into the Merino Lace socks. So I’ve been paying a little extra attention to this project, working on it even when I could be knitting something more complicated. That and the fact that I’m starved for sock knitting! The moratorium hasn’t been lifted, and a pair here or there for a sock exchange is simply not enough! With the weather getting more chilly every day, I’m saying, “Screw the moratorium!”

Your project lineup is the exact system that I’ve been using for years. I’d like to pretend that I planned it but really, it just evolved as the most logical way for me to fit knitting into my lifestyle in a way that maximizes my knitting satisfaction. Knitting satisfaction is different for each person depending on what aspects they enjoy & don’t enjoy about their knitting – the process, the product, the starting, the finishing, the reinventing, etc. as well as what you said – the what, the when, and the how much. Knitter Know Thyself!

Complicated stationary = sit down and focus on it, get immersed in my knitting. I may listen to a podcast or audio book, but that’s it.

This works great for me because every WIP has it’s own niche and I’m actively working on each one.

The best part is when the stars align just right and you finish a project in all 3 categoies around the same time. You get to start 3 new projects – AT ONCE!!! I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

Love you color choice for the bag lining – can’t wait to see it come together!

I love your color sense. That teal lining is PERFECT. I wish I had that ability. I more than likely would have done the matchy-matchy thing and would have realized something was wrong, but couldn’t put my finger on it.

I love the teal with the bag. Perfect! Have you tri ed Oxyclean on the stained sock? I bet that would work. I’ve seen my DH take stains out of her children’s clothing many times with it and the colors stay nice.

I thought I’d throw in a friendly warning about the bag – I had a Quinn bag at a similar stage LAST WINTER. Two days ago I finally forced myself to put on the handle and lining. Something about the longer it sat there, the more onerous the task became, and the most unlike-fun-knitting it was. It turned out to take 1/2 an hour, wasn’t worth all the angst.

Finish the bag! (Although Ene is looking really nice, and I totally would be whipping through the sock to find out how it turns out… Stop listening to me, that’s how I ended up in this mess!!)

Good lining choice, a nice compliment. The WIP balance is a delicate thing. Looking at my Ravelry queue, I’ve realized I’ve lined up too many complicated projects, so now I need to re-think and adjust. I’d screw the moratorium too!

The teal was a good call. It seems to perk the other colors up a bit. (Not that they needed any perking, because they are fabulous, but you know what I mean.)

I see you are knitting the Merino Lace socks on DPNs. I tried it that way too, but I got heartily sick of constantly shifting the stitches around, so I ripped them out. Looking at yours, though, I kind of wish I’d persevered. I love the ‘antique’ look of yours–it’s a great colorway (stain and all.)

Please oh please document how you attach the teal lining to the knit purse. I have recently finished knitting a purse as well, but am reluctant to cast off for the very reason you cited – knitter’s ADD. That is, I cast off and then what? Where’s the fun?

I’m eager to finish it off, so to speak, just to add a few bobbles or doo-dads to the flap of my purse, but I know once I cast off, I need to attach a lining and I have *NO* idea how?! I’m not as gifted as you with a sewing machine. I purchased a new one about a year ago and we’re still duking it out – and the machine is winning.

I like having a similar balance when knitting. But right now, it seems that I have too many projects on the needles, then I realize I’ve only got two! One is on rest and the other is actively working. So draining planning it out!